A UTR number is a ten-digit unique number that is given to you as an identification tag. This number will be required of you when you file tax returns and whenever you do other things that will include correspondence with the Inland Revenue about refunds, exemptions, and so on.

Though quite useful and valuable when communicating with the tax office, getting one will not cost you anything. If you have not been allocated a UTR number before, your local tax office will be more than glad to offer you one because it would mean getting another person into the tax-payer’s bracket.

If you know that you were allocated the number but simply cannot remember it, it is pretty easy to find it by going to any of the personalized documents from the Inland Revenue. You can also get it from your previous copies of tax filings since you cannot fill a complete form without this number.

If you are like the kind of person who will easily lose things and you do not know how to get it, you can store it in your phone or put it in your email. This is because the UTR number is one of those things which though may not be needed frequently, is needed urgently whenever it is needed. This way you can be comfortable knowing that your number is with you.

20 Responses to “What Is An Inland Revenue UTR Number?”

Ben: To apply for a UTR number you need to contact your local tax office and tell them that you are or want to become self employed. They can provide you the forms that you complete in order to get your UTR number, unfortunately you can not apply for a Inland Revenue UTR number directly online.

I work for a company and am wanting to know about UTR numbers.
Am i ok to pay someone by invoice who is self employed but does not have a UTR number?
I thought the UTR number was proof of self employment?

dave: If you become self employed you should be given a UTR number by the Inland Revenue. This can take a few weeks to come through and this timing difference may be the reason why they do not have their number yet.

I have started a business (sole proprietor) this year and I am voluntary VAT registered.
I am invoicing for service engineer work I have done for a customer.
They want my UTR in order to deduct an amount for tax this is supposed to be against the labour element of the invoice.
This is difficult for me as I have been unable to draw any income form my struggling business as any monies earned have been absorbed in operational costs. Do I have to pay tax on money I have not taken from the business putting even greater stress on my finances?

I’m a managing director of a recently formed limited company. My company provides architectural consultancy services.
Recently i undertook some consultancy work for a contractor. When i invoiced him he wanted to know what my UTR number is so he can deduct the CIS tax. My question is do Ltd companies have UTR number, and secondly i Thought i would be paying Co-operation tax on my profits so why is he saying he needs to deduct tax and finally i thought the CIS is only for contractors. Please could you clarify.

I have aplyed for UTR cuple weeks ago but still did not receive letter with it. I did work for someone, and would like to invoice for it before new year, because tax will rise after new year, and because I did this work this month. Can I issue invoice without UTR? In other words, should UTR be provided on the invoice? And is it legal to invoice without confirmation of UTR being assigned?

i appled for a utr number 1/11/10.
im due to pay my 1st contribution payment , but i still have nit rec’d my unique ref number for tax purposes ,
i rang 1 /12/10 , and was told another 2 weeks , i am still waiting
is there a max time limit

I applied for a UTR number 2 months ago, i only did 1 small job and wanted to invoice a company £600 it’s the only work i will be doing outside of work. I have rang 3 times to chase it and each time they said it was being proceed. Today i got told that it should of been issued by now and the fact that it had not come means it must of been lost. They said they would send off for another that could take another 3 weeks. WHAT IS GOING ON OVER THERE !!!!!